Alma mater and the Priesthood

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This is probably a silly question.

Does it matter how “great” of an institution a Priest-to-be gets his Bachelor’s degree from, prior to Seminary or the 'hood? As well, would it impact the minister’s path once ordained? For example, would a person with an average university degree do as well as one with a degree from Yale?

**Does the College of Cardinals have an eye for those with degrees from the Cambridge area? ** :bowdown: 🤓

Thanks! ~Jason
 
I’m not sure whether a previous prestigious degree will mean more success and advancement once in Holy Orders, but regarding going to college before seminary, I’ll offer you the same advice my spiritual director gave me:

If you’re sure you have a vocation to the priesthood, don’t go to college–go to the seminary. As humans we live on borrowed time–that is, time given us by grace of God–and should not waste it on unnecessary degrees or furthering our own ambition. If you do well academically in the seminary, chances are you will be allowed to pursue a Liscentiate in Theology and then a Doctorate in Sacred Theology or some other higher degree. These will also look better on a priestly resume than a Bachelor’s in whatever from Harvard, which at that stage is essentially irrelevant.

Also, remember that if you are called to be a priest, you are called to serve Christ and not yourself. St. Paul says it is noble to aspire to be a Bishop, but this does not mean your own success should be your primary concern. Remember that in St. Paul’s day Bishop = Martyr.

This is just my two cents worth based on my own experiences. The best thing you can do to find out if College is best for you is to consult your spiritual director.

Bear in my mind this story, though, from Bishop Sheen’s autobiography Treasure in Clay: When he was about 17, a priest-friend of his asked what he would be doing the next year. Fulton answered that he was going to college to study philosophy. The priest asked him if he thought he had a vocation. Sheen answered yes, but thought it would be much better to earn a PhD and then enter the seminary. The priest then told him what he knew all along–that he had to enter the seminary now, to deny Christ nothing, and if it was God’s will, he would someday earn a Doctorate. Sheen was ordained a few years later, and then went on to be the first American to earn the Agrege, or “Super Doctorate” degree from the famed University of Louvain in Belgium.

God Bless you, and may you find God’s will for you,

Mat.
 
I must speak with my spiritual father then. He’s a priest in the Byz Cath at a church in North Carolina. I moved to Wisconsin after I was confirmed, so I’ll just email him about everything. Maybe I could visit him too.

I didn’t know I could go to seminary without a 4-year degree. If I can, then I will. I don’t want to waste my time, humanity’s time, and God’s time.

I felt as though I needed to speak with my father. This confirms it!

Many thanks Mat, and to whomever else involved wit hthis thread.

🙂 ~Jason
 
In order to get into our seminary you have to have a 4 year degree. If you don’t then you live in a resident seminary and go to a local catholic college for a degree before being admitted into the major seminary.

Also the majority of priests do not go for their STL or STD. That is reserved for a few.
 
okie doke. rock on… then I guess I’m right where I should be. anyhow I should be getting a response from that particular fellow anytime soon. it’s good I emailed him because eventually, regardless I think I’ll need his recomendation for Seminary down the road.

Many thanks!
~Jason
 
love-bias said:
This is probably a silly question.

Does it matter how “great” of an institution a Priest-to-be gets his Bachelor’s degree from, prior to Seminary or the 'hood? As well, would it impact the minister’s path once ordained? For example, would a person with an average university degree do as well as one with a degree from Yale?

**Does the College of Cardinals have an eye for those with degrees from the Cambridge area? **:bowdown: 🤓

Thanks! ~Jason
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Education isn’t everything when you’re dealing with vocations. Different priests are good at different things, and hopefully the bishop will assign priests with special abilities to ministries they would be especially good at. For example, someone with a legal background may become a canon lawyer. Someone with background in sacred music may be a diocesan liturgy consultant. Someone with a background in literature may become the censor librorum. Other than that, the education a priest has doesn’t matter so much. They have to pass the seminary classes, but the priesthood isn’t like just any job- if it’s your calling and you persevere, you’ll succeed and (hopefully) people will be very willing to help you overcome your weak areas.
 
Some years back I noted that a recently ordained priest in our diocese had a VMI [Virginia Military Institute] ring. I noted that that seem an odd preparation and found that he was awaiting acceptance into the Chaplain Corps. 😉
 
The Citadel produces many vocations around here. The extreme discipline and military attitude seems to be quite appealing to men discerning a vocation to the priesthood.
 
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